I'm not a Runner
If I go up and down my family tree asking everyone to repeat the above sentence, they would do it merrily. So the point is, running is not in my genes. Atleast I can safely say that no one has yet proved it to be otherwise.
Of course that doesn't stop me from wishing to take part in a Marathon! Every year I make it point to declare that I'll be running the 11 kms run. At times when I I'm more pumped I add another 10 kms and make it 21. Unfortunately, all these years I kept finding myself in the medical team rather than in the Run! Last year I was sick and tired of repeating this and instead of declaring to everyone I went ahead and registered for the 11kms run.
Lesson 1: It all starts with a wish, but actually begins when u make a strong decision.
When the day arrived, I had a total practice of running 4kms for 6 days in the last 2 months, in no way enough to give me the confidence of completing the 11 kms. The race was to start in an hour and I had no plans of finishing it. 5 minutes before the race started I said to myself that I'll not quit, even if I have to finish the race crawling. Just as the bell rang and the race started, I told myself something strange. I told myself that I'll finish the race running. No walking, No crawling. Only Running!
I kept my effort level at 2/10. Kept it slow but steady. Thoughts: "It won't be bad if I cover even half of it "
We had to take a U turn from the half line and for some reason the half line just refused to appear in sight! I kept running. Slow but steady. The half line appeared. I couldn't wait to reach it!
As soon as I took the U turn from the half line I saw hundreds of runners who were behind me trying to reach the point which I had already crossed! Something changed inside me, again, and I made the decision to run the other half and claim the entire 11kms.
Lesson 2: How do you drink an entire lake? One glass at a time!
I knew since I was not physically prepared to complete 11kms, the onus to finish this race lied on my mind. I kept repeating to myself ''I can do it, I'll finish this'' almost like a mantra. As I crossed the 7kms mark some negative thoughts started trying to find cracks in my resolution. "You've never run before. Your father has never run. I'm sure even your grandfather wouldn't have run 11kms. It's just not in your genes"
Fortunately I had read enough positive mental attitude books to be aware of the intentions of these doubts. Break my strength. I invoked the almighty. "God I don't care who I am or what my genes are. This is between you and me. Nothing else matters! I'm determined to finish this. Please see me through!" I experienced a strange connection with the universe. It recharged my batteries. Those doubts were taken care of for good and I found myself on track again.
Lesson 3: Where you are going is more important than where you're coming from
Lesson 4: Your mind has too much of ego to blindly believe in you everytime you ask it to. It needs a higher power to whom it can submit.
We crossed the last turn and there were 2 more kilometers to go. At the turn there were atleast 100 people, most of them kids cheering the runners.They kept shouting, 'You can do it, I can do it, We can do it!' There enthusiasm was palpable and that was like a strong wind helping me cruise ahead!
Lesson 5: Those kids, those people had nothing to do with my resolve. They were still cheering for me. Cheering for us! They were probably cheering for the human spirit! They were probably seeing themselves in us!
I kept at it and eventually finished the run! It was a proud moment for me and I did what everyone does, posted it on social media for some self glorification.
Of course I was confined to my bed for the next 10 hours and every movement was accompanied with excruciating pain! But was it worth it? You bet!
Lesson 6: Don't be a fool and practice well before you run!
